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3

Ctrl+Alt+← can usually be set to restart X, however I can't find the option to allow this (it is disabled by default).

I have looked in System->Preferences->Keyboard and System->Preferences->Keyboard Shortcuts but I can't find an option to enable it.

Where can I change this setting?

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3 Answers

up vote 24 down vote accepted

You want: System->Preferences->Keyboard

Then click the Layouts tab, the Options button, and expand Key sequence to kill the X server, before finally selecting the checkbox.

Screenshot

To enable it via the command line install dontzap Install dontzap

sudo apt-get install dontzap

And in a terminal

sudo dontzap --enable

To disable the shortcut:

sudo dontzap --disable
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The dontzap package is not included in Ubuntu 11.10. – Stefan Lasiewski Nov 19 '11 at 16:59
up vote 8 down vote

It was changed to Alt+Prt Scr+k.

I can't remember exactly when it was but it was supposed to stop accidental usage.

The idea being those who know they need it will be able to find the new key combination easily enough.

And I think someone at the time suggested it would be easier to remember as it is alternative screen kill. I am not sure that is the case.

The functionality is still there but under a different key combination.

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1  
Just to mention "Alt + Prt Scr" is marked on most keyboards as "SysRq" (System request) to help you easily remember this. – fluteflute Oct 31 '10 at 21:20
1  
Thanks for your answer. As it happens, this doesn't work on my laptop. Both prt sc and sys rq need fn to be pressed and cause gnome-screenshot to open; many times if I hold it down for too long. – dv3500ea Oct 31 '10 at 21:44
5  
-1. Alt + PrtScr + k or (SysRq + k) is a magic SysRq key combination that kills all processes on the current virtual console. It can be used to kill the X server, however it isn't the replacement for Ctrl + Alt + Bksp. In Ubuntu 9.04 Ctrl + Alt + Bksp got disabled (not removed) by default and could be enabled by setting a X server flag ('DontZap'), and as of Ubuntu 9.10 it's like described by fluteflute. – htorque Oct 31 '10 at 21:58
4  
Found the release notes. The Ubuntu answer to this question is on this page wiki.ubuntu.com/LucidLynx/ReleaseNotes about half way down. – Richard Holloway Oct 31 '10 at 22:17
up vote 2 down vote

If you are looking for a solution which is independent of Gnome/KDE/Fluxbox or any Desktop Environment or Window Manager, try the following X Window System command. I need this because my Unity desktop is not loading (but X works fine), therefore there is no logout button.

From https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Config/DontZap#Using_the_command_line

Using the command line

You can type the following command to enable Zapping immediately.

setxkbmap -option terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp

If you're happy with the new behaviour you can add that command to your ~/.xinitrc in order to make the change permanent.

Also, according to the Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx), this has replaced the old DontZap feature from older versions of the X Window System.

In addition, the Ctrl-Alt-Backspace option is now configured as an X keymap (XKB) option, replacing the X server "DontZap" option and allowing per-user configuration of this setting.

This is explained further in the Xorg X11R7.5 Release Notes which, among other details, say:

Users who wish to have this functionality available by default may
enable it via the XKB configuration option “terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp”.

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